Dawg Days of Summer: Part 1
Once students complete their spring quarter finals, many begin a new chapter in their legal education: summer employment. Spread out across the country — and the globe — ºìÌÒÊÓƵ students gain valuable experience in an array of fields that furthers their understanding of the law. This series highlights a handful of ºìÌÒÊÓƵ J.D. students as they head out into the workforce.
In this Series
- Read Part 1: Anna Shumar, 3L, and Elena Hubbell, 2L
- Read Part 2: Lauren Lee, 2L, and Robert Colton, 2L
- Read Part 3: Gracie Pakosz, 3L, and Maxine Sugarman, 3L
Anna Shumar, 3L
ºìÌÒÊÓƵ: Where are you working this summer?
Anna: I am working at the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). I’m working in the Seattle enforcement office which has jurisdiction over instances of civil rights discrimination in federally funded institutions in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands.
ºìÌÒÊÓƵ: How did you find out about this opportunity?
Anna: I had seen this position posted on the Center for Career Development. I met and spoke with my internship supervisor at the Pro Bono Fair in the fall, and I interviewed with the office at the Northwest Public Service Career Fair in February.
ºìÌÒÊÓƵ: What type of work are you doing there?Ìý
Anna: The office works to resolve complaints of discrimination as well as identify and monitor particular civil rights issues as identified by the office. I’ve been assisting attorneys in the office with the evaluation and investigation of complaints regarding issues such as disability discrimination, student accommodations, racial harassment, physical accessibility for recreation and programs, and violations of Title IX. I have also been researching and writing on arising topics with potential to impact OCR policy for the office.Â
ºìÌÒÊÓƵ: How is this experience preparing you to become a lawyer?
Anna: This experience is preparing me for my future career as a lawyer by giving me training on the practice areas and policy I envision myself working with, experience researching and writing on complex issues, and the opportunity to take part in the federal investigative process. I have a passion for civil rights law and this experience has shown me one of the many paths available to utilize that passion.
ºìÌÒÊÓƵ: Do you have any other exciting summer plans?
Anna: I love the Washington summers, so just experiencing it to the maximum by being outdoors and in Lake Washington as much as possible. Other than that, I have a few trips planned around Washington, Oregon, and the San Juan Islands for later this summer, as well as visits from friends and family I’ve convinced to come up from California!Â
Elena Hubbell, 2L
ºìÌÒÊÓƵ: Where are you working this summer?
Elena: Hogan Lovells in Hanoi, Vietnam
ºìÌÒÊÓƵ: How did you find out about this opportunity?
Elena: I am interested in Asian Law and the Asian Law Center, so I scheduled a meeting with Professor Nguyen, who runs the center. She told me about this opportunity and encouraged me to apply! I applied through the Vietnamese-American Bar Association of Washington who runs this program, which is called the Hong Duc Clerkship Program.
ºìÌÒÊÓƵ: What type of work are you doing there?
Elena: Proofreading contracts, researching potential clients, and helping to identify potential clients.
ºìÌÒÊÓƵ: How is this experience preparing you to become a lawyer?
Elena: I would really love to practice international law, and this experience has shown me what it would be like to work at a large, international firm. I am also getting to learn about the work culture in Vietnam and how local lawyers practice across the globe. This experience has been very valuable to me in relation to my interests.
ºìÌÒÊÓƵ: Do you have any other exciting summer plans?
Elena: Yes! I’ve gotten to visit a close friend in Singapore and visit the Hogan Lovells office in Singapore for a few days! Hogan Lovells is also organizing a work trip to Hue, Vietnam, that I will be able to participate in!